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Axford Trade Finally A Done Deal

9/2/2013 12:00:00 AM

By Nick Freimuth

The Milwaukee Brewers traded closer John Axford to the St. Louis Cardinals last week but were unsure of who they would receive in return until yesterday. The news broke Sunday that 24-year-old reliever Michael Blazek will join the big league team today.

The two player deal turned out to be a swap of relievers with control problems but tons of potential. Blazek issued 10 walks with 10 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings with the Cardinals this season. He was excellent in the Minors with a 1.97 ERA in 36 appearances between St. Louis' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.

The Cardinals drafted Blazek (pronounced BLAY-zek) out of high school in the 35th round in 2007.